HaberkipThe editor-in-chief and a undercover reporter for of the Cumhuriyet come to U-detention after more than 400 days. The editor of the newspaper remains in prison for the time being.

Istanbul: Court orders release of two Cumhuriyet journalists

The editor-in-chief and a undercover reporter for of the Cumhuriyet come to U-detention after more than 400 days. The editor of the newspaper remains in prison for the time being.

A Turkish court ordered release of two journalists of government-critical newspaper Cumhuriyet. After all-day trial at Court of High security prison Silivri near Istanbul, judges decided to dismiss editor-in-chief of newspaper, Murat Sabuncu, and well-known investigative journalists Ahmet Şık from custody. This is reported among or things by state news agency Anadolu. The prosecutor, however, had pleaded for a continuation of pre-trial detention.

Sabuncu was arrested over 490 days ago because of accusation of supporting various terrorist organizations. Şık was in prison for more than 430 days. The Turkish government presents a total of 18 employees of Cumhuriyet terror support. The former editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet, can Dündar, lives in exile in Germany. The trial is now to be made in Turkey for espionage accusations.

Members of Amnesty International, who attended trial as process observers, reported that editor of newspaper, Akın Atalay, continued to remain in custody in prison Silivri. On 16 March process, which is criticized internationally as politically motivated, will be continued. Against Ahmet Şık and Murat Sabuncu, court had an exit ban on Friday evening. The court order also shows that you have to report to police every Sunday.

According to reporter without Borders, defendant is threatened with a prison sentence of up to 43 years.

The three defendants Murat Sabuncu, Akın Atalay and Ahmet Şık in courtroom in Istanbul:

The placement of EU candidate Turkey on list of freedom of press of Reporters Without Borders has deteriorated considerably since failed coup attempt in summer of 2016: The country fell from place 151 to number 155 – with a total of 180 listed states.